The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board (WIB) announced today the receipt of a $227,000 advanced manufacturing grant for the region from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The grant will be used in part for a free training for area residents from Dartmouth, New Bedford, Acushnet, Lakeville, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Freetown, Lakeville, and Wareham.

The grant was announced by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito and the Secretary of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Roslyn Acosta, on October 17 at the Franklin County Technical High School. Consistent with the goals and philosophy of the Baker-Polito Administration’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development along with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Executive Office of Education awarded eight grants to advanced manufacturing training programs across the state.

The funds will be used to administer and train unemployed individuals for positions at local employers who need new workers that are credentialed in Advanced Manufacturing principles. Recruitment for the program is in process and will be coordinated by New Directions Southcoast, Inc. through the Career Center located at 618 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford. The training is expected to start mid November 2017 with a second cohort in late winter/early spring of 2018. Each cohort will consist of approximately 12 individuals from the area.

WIB Chair, Tony Sapienza lauded the effort of the WIB staff stating, “When this year started our board deemed it would be critical to find additional resources to supplement our reduced federal training funds. The Staff at the WIB have proven their ability to align its efforts to meet needs of the manufacturing sector that will lead to training for jobs benefitting several participating employers in the region.”

Mr. Sapienza continued, “This is the third consecutive time over the past 22 months the WIB has been awarded funds to meet our manufacturing community’s need for new workers. We have received close to $700,000 in grant funds that produced 75 new workers available in this span of time.”

Executive Director, Jim Oliveira stated, “The hard work of our staff and Career Center partners to recruit, train and case manage participants throughout to employment is the essence of our workforce system. We also attribute its success to the training partners aligned to deliver a quality, content rich curriculum that includes the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Bristol Community College and Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical High School.”

Individuals interested in participating in the training grant should visit the Greater New Bedford Career Center.

For more information on the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. please visit their website at gnbwib.org.